Sitcoms have aggressively been one of the most prominent examples of television since the inception of the TV itself. From “Seinfeld” to “Friends” to the recently-ended “Modern Family”, it seems like now we are able to see that there’s a way to pinpoint what makes these shows great. The answer: It’s how they’re taped. The first part of this review is going to establish the main differences between a multi-camera set-up and a single camera set-up. The second part will deal with an analysis of how each show positively portrays a classic family show dynamic while dealing with everyday issues. So let’s dive into the difference between a single camera sitcom and a multi-camera sitcom.
“Family Matters” is considered a “multi-camera sitcom” which represents a more traditional approach to television comedy, dating back to other similar shows like “The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cheers, Three’s Company, the list can go on and on.
When in doubt, your first thought should be to think of the presence of a “live studio audience”. It’s the most blatant way for a viewer to determine if a show is considered a “multi-camera sitcom” or a “single-camera sitcom.” Multi-camera setups take different shots of a live situation as the action unfolds chronologically and is suitable for shows which require a live audience. In a single camera setup, after each shot is taken, the camera is moved and reset in order to get the next shot or angle.
Multi-camera sitcoms are typically staged almost like a play, where you can tell the characters are interacting on a set that’s been built to look as realistic as possible. To note, the number of cameras, usually four, are used to capture every part of a scene from a variety of angles which allows editors more options when determining what angles help support the storyline, therefore making the final cut in post-production. Multi-camera shows also tend to have a few key “standing sets” such as a cafe (Friends) or an apartment (Will and Grace) where the majority of the show is filmed. These are also called “fixed sets”.
The ABC show, “Black-ish”, is shot in a single-camera form, offering a more enhanced, and dare I say, cinematic look into the “Suburbia” trope. A great example is found in this short clip from Season 4, Episode 22, “Blue Valentine”. Notice the type of shots selected and how they’re being used illustrate an emotional tone for the scene.
Single-camera sitcoms are able to show the characters move more fluidly on location and have more “realistic” sets. In this type of setup, a live audience usually doesn’t participate, think “The Office” or “Arrested Development”. These shows have to rely on the performance of the actors and angles of the camera alone to help keep the audience engaged, and while giving these shows the “single-camera” designation might be somewhat ingenuine since most of these shows are technically filmed on multiple cameras, it’s the staging and use of the camera that differentiates the two.
This type of technical observation may seem unimportant to the average viewer, but subconsciously, I believe all viewers notice how certain camera’s angles give the storylines dimension. For example, a wide shot might be used to show the perspective of a whole group interacting, while a close up will feature a single character to emphasize that their lines are important to the story. I noticed this a lot in both shows and it’s something that most viewers probably don’t think twice about but how many times have you heard a line being said off camera to another character and the shot stays focused on that character only. It’s usually because they’re about to say something that’s useful to the continuation of the story, even if the other character gave the line first. In addition to this, including a live studio audience adds more dimension to a show. In my opinion, a live studio audience functions as a buffer for the actors to rely on as they go through the story. An “in-studio” audience can help determine what kind of sentiments both the at-home viewer and the actor should have to the events that are happening on screen.
With all that being said both shows are centered around having a tight-knit family life as a means of unity. Both feature black families living in predominantly white neighborhoods, each character enduring challenges that are specific to their personalities and surroundings. Even though characters in both shows have different backstories and perspectives, viewers can identify and resonate with the struggles through relating it back to their own family lives. You can see the generational gap as well, “Family Matters” was broadcasted from 1989-1998 and “Black-ish”, first seen in 2014, has been continuing since, hopefully, able to break that 9-year record. The commonalities between the shows are the image of a family that illustrates togetherness and reliability. Both shows present complex issues such as race, class, and family in a humorous light while still staying aware of the current times. You’d be hard pressed to hear someone say that they prefer one type of taping over the other unless they’re a true TV buff. Right now, there’s a shift that continues to dominate a rapidly growing industry. The sitcom still exists in some form, even in comparison to shows that deal with people in the workplace, or your favorite crime drama, there’s always room for a solid family comedy and seeing the difference between two types of series haven’t seriously masked the value of each show, which have proven to be well-received by viewers across all generations.
